The unemployment rate in Colombia stood at 8% in June, the same level recorded in May, which implies a decrease of six-tenths compared to the figure from a year ago and consolidates one of the lowest levels since the 7% noted in November 2025, according to data released this Friday by the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE).
Regarding job creation by sectors, the largest increases were concentrated in accommodations and food services, with 289,000 new positions, followed by construction, which added 146,000 jobs, and the transport and storage sector, with 145,000 more. In contrast, manufacturing industries cut 125,000 jobs in the same period.
By gender, the unemployment rate among men stood at 6.6%, while for women it reached 9.9%, which represents a gap of 3.3 percentage points between both groups.
Likewise, the employment rate (ER) advanced one point, rising from 58.4% in June 2025 to 59.4% in 2026. At the same time, the overall participation rate (OPR) increased by six-tenths, to 64.5%, and the proportion of workers in informal conditions remained at 55.1% of the employed population.
By territories, the highest unemployment rates were observed in Quibdó, at 23.3%, Cartagena, at 13.2%, and Ibagué, at 12.8%, with statistically significant variations in the first two. At the opposite end, the lowest unemployment rates were recorded in Medellín (7.1%), Pereira (7.2%), and Villavicencio (7.9%).